Covenant House
Provides shelter and support services to young people experiencing homelessness.
At a glance
Rating and filings checked Oct 13, 2026. Sources: Charity Navigator, IRS Form 990 via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. How we check
Is Covenant House a good charity?
Covenant House holds Charity Navigator's highest rating: 4 out of 4 stars, with an overall score of 97%. Its 2023 Form 990 reports $88.3M in revenue, up 25% from $70.5M in 2019, and $93.5M in expenses. Rating checked Oct 13, 2026.
Finances
From Covenant House's annual IRS Form 990 filings (filed as Covenant House).
| Year | Revenue | Expenses | Net assets | Officer & key staff pay | Filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $88.3M | $93.5M | $128.0M | $2.2M | |
| 2022 | $154.7M | $92.9M | $129.4M | $1.2M | 990 PDF |
| 2021 | $87.2M | $83.8M | $66.8M | $1.0M | 990 PDF |
| 2020 | $93.3M | $78.2M | $56.3M | $1.1M | 990 PDF |
| 2019 | $70.5M | $70.9M | $52.3M | $1.3M | 990 PDF |
A newer filing for 2024 is out but not yet summarized: read the 2024 Form 990 (PDF).
Officer & key staff pay is the 990's total for current officers, directors, trustees and key employees, not one salary.
What charities in housing & homelessness do
Housing-and-homelessness organizations operate across a continuum from emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing, with growing emphasis on the evidence-based "Housing First" model — providing stable housing before treating other issues. Strong nonprofits combine direct service (shelters, transitional housing, rapid rehousing) with case management, policy advocacy, and capital-development of new affordable housing units. Funding supports staff, rental subsidies, mental-health and addiction services, and capital costs for housing development.
How to judge charities in this area
Look for outcomes data on housing retention: how many people stayed housed 6, 12, and 24 months after exiting the program. Strong nonprofits track this; weak ones report only "people served." Built for Zero is the gold-standard methodology — organizations using it tend to deliver better results. Avoid charities that emphasize shelter-bed counts over permanent-housing outcomes.
How to support beyond a one-time gift
- + Donate cash, not goods — most shelters have very specific supply needs and can buy more efficiently than donated goods allow
- + Recurring monthly gifts are particularly valuable — housing programs require predictable revenue
- + Volunteer with case management, intake, or maintenance at a local shelter
- + Advocate for zoning reform in your municipality — restrictive zoning is the single biggest barrier to affordable housing
- + Use employer matching — homelessness organizations are often eligible
Verify before you give
A few minutes of independent verification pays off — especially for larger gifts. These resources let you confirm the details on Covenant House:
Frequently asked
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